For some people, a five-star hotel would mean a luxurious bed, high-end toiletries (preferably the brand names also patronized by celebrities), and large towels. For others, it would mean having at least 200 TV channels, CD and DVD players, and high-speed internet access. While these factors are taken into consideration in hotel ratings, things are not quite as comfortably standardized as we would like them to be.

A hotel rated as a four-star by one online travel guide could turn out to be a dud when it comes to 24-hour service or wireless internet connection. And it could just as well be rated as a mere three-star by another travel site. On the other hand, a one-star hotel could offer charming accommodation with a helpful staff and adequate amenities all for a much cheaper rate.

So why the disparity in hotel ratings? The answer lies in the varying criteria used by different agencies. There simply isn't a standard rating system that is applied universally. Hotel ratings also vary according to each country and/or city. In European countries, the star ratings are usually given by local governments and private agencies and may include such extraneous factors (as far as the customer is concerned anyway) as the amount of tax that a particular hotel pays. In France, the government-sanctioned rating system only gives a maximum of four stars, that's for a luxury hotel, and a minimum of one star for a modest inn. Hotels are judged according to room size, amenities, plumbing, renovations, elevators, dining options, etc. Germany and other Scandinavian countries adhere to the one- to five-star scale and the ratings are only valid for a period of three years, after which hotels must undergo another round of inspection.

In the United Kingdom, steps were taken to produce a more uniform hotel rating system and a complete standardization is aimed for by 2008. All grading agencies are expected to adhere to the criteria called the National Quality Assurance Standards, which follows the five-star system and further categorizes hotels into full service formal accommodations, country houses, small hotels, town houses, and metro hotels. Some of the basis for scoring the accommodations are cleanliness and housekeeping, service, common rooms, guest rooms, bathrooms, food quality, safety and security, interior and exterior design, and maintenance.

Hotels in Latin America are also rated according to government-sanctioned rankings. The ratings range from zero to five stars although in some countries such as Mexico, six stars may given to ultra-luxury hotels (read: personal butler, private pool, and limousine or even helicopter service). Unfortunately, these government ratings are often not reviewed periodically so a hotel may still retain a four-star grade and yet deteriorate in quality.

Asian hotels are just as diversely rated as in other continents. In China, the government gives the ratings and includes the English-speaking capabilities of hotel staff in its criteria. In Hong Kong, meanwhile, hotels are grouped according to their respective tariff brackets. Singapore also follows the star-rating system while in the Middle East, two hotels defied standard grading and declared themselves as seven-star accommodations. The first one to do so is the Burj Al Arab in Dubai which currently holds the record as the world's tallest hotel and is constructed on its own private artificial island. The other one is The Centaurus in Islamabad, Pakistan which is still under construction and is scheduled to be completed in 2010. Hotels in Asia generally have a higher staff-to-guest ratio compared with their counterparts in Europe and North America due to lower labor costs.

In the United States, one of the most popular grading body is the American Automobile Association which employs diamonds to express its ratings instead of stars. Its hotel ratings are based on management style, exterior and interior appearance, furnishing and fixtures, security, service and maintenance, ambiance, and supplies. Hotel booking websites and online travel guides also have their own ratings. The more popular ones are Sidestep.com, Expedia, Hotwire.com, Hotels.com, Travelocity, Priceline, Travelweb, and Orbitz.

Though considerably confusing, hotel ratings still function as a guide for travelers and vacationers. They provide an overview of a hotel's amenities as well as its price range. When combined with other helpful information and a little common sense, these grading systems enable customers to make intelligent hotel booking decisions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristien_Wilkinson

The Dead Sea (Sea of Salt) is a salt lake between the West Bank and Israel to the west, and Jordan to the east, said to be the lowest point on Earth (420 meters below sea level). The sea is called "dead" because its high salinity means no macroscopic aquatic organisms such as fish or water plants can live in it.

The Dead Sea attracts many visitors for thousands of years due to its extremely salty water, which has 30 percent salinity. The Dead Sea’s climate and its unique conditions created by its low elevation have made it a popular center for several types of therapies, such as sun radiation treatment, treatment that exploits black mud of the Dead Sea, bathing treatment and others.

The hotels located in the area are Prima Oasis, Hod Hamidbar, Le Meridien, Caesar Premier, just a short distance from ancient biblical and historical sites. Some Dead Sea hotels, like Sheraton Moriah, stretch alongside a private beach; luxurious sites, overlooking the Dead Sea, provide a wonderful resort.

Historical sites present in the area include fortresses and palaces build by King Herod (the stronghold of Massada), Greek monasteries, Qumran caves. The Dead Sea is known as one of the most spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes in the world.

Visiting Jerusalem.

Israel is known as a land for tourists; it has various attractive resorts, unique historic sites and many attractions for tourists of all kinds. A trip to Israel may fulfill several wishes: to explore historical and cultural heritage, to visit the Holy places, described in the Bible, to learn about cultural traditions and festivities, and simply to enjoy the beautiful views of the land of Israel.

The capital city of Israel is the largest in both population and area, located in the Judean Mountains, between the Mediterranean Sea and the northern tip of the Dead Sea. Jerusalem is the holiest city in Jerusalem and the spiritual center of many religions – Christian, Armenian, Jewish and Muslim.

The city contains many significant ancient sites, which belong to different religions. Some of them have key religious importance: the Temple Mount and its Western Wall for Jews, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christians, the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque for Muslims.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Guy_Roufe